Pressure fill system



ct. 16, 1956 B, R, THIELE JGG PRESSURE- FILL SYSTEM Filed Feb. i7, 19515l z3 INVSNTOR Yert'hocl Q. Vhiele @y ma] @7M/WK wwf..

United States Patent PRESSURE FILL SYSTEM Berthold R. Thiele, Ripon,Wis., assigner to Speed Queen Corporation, Ripon, Wis., a corporation ofDelaware Application February 17, 1951, Serial No. 211,504

4 Claims. (Cl. 68-21) The present invention relates to a system forsupplying fluid under pressure into a receptacle or the like in whichthe fluid pressure may vary from time to time.

It is lone object of the invention to provide an improved fluid supplysystem of the character recited having a novel booster pump incorporatedtherein which is automatically operable to supply fluid at increasedpressures in response to pressure changes within the receptaclereceiving the uid.

Another object is to provide a booster pump arrangement for a fluidsupply system which can be operated from a continually moving drive andautomatically controlled by the fluid within the system without the useof gauges, clutches, tor other control linkages or mechanisms.

A further Iobject is to provide a nove-l and greatly simplied boosterpump having a minimum number lof parts adapted for economicalmanufacture and assembly, the pump nevertheless being capable ofproducing the complex functions of sensing the pressure conditionsexisting in the fluid system in which it is used and producing pumpingactions in accordance with these conditions.

A more specic object is to provide a novel and simplied booster piunpwhich is not subject to undue wear and will not absorb driving energywhen not lactually pumping fluids.

In connection with the foregoing objects, it is a further object toprovide a fluid system for a washer which is particularly well lsuitedfor effectively and elliciently supplying pressurized fluid to thewashing tub to cause a flexible diaphragm to squeeze excess water from abatch of clothes.

An additional object is to provide an integrated pressure fluid syste-mof the above character having a booster pump adapted for operation bythe washer drive without substantial modiiication of the parts involvedand capable of automatic self-control in accordance with the fluidpressure in the washer ltub behind the flexible squeezing diaphragm.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the descriptionproceeds.

ln the accompanying drawing:

Figure l is a partially diagrammatic view showing the invention andillustrating the manner in which it may be arranged for use with awasher.

Fig. 2 is a View taken generally along line 2-2 of Fig. 1, landillustrating the coaction of the booster pump with the drive therefor.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifica tions andalternative constructions, there is shown in the drawing and will hereinbe described in detail the preferred embodiment, but it is to beunderstood that it is not thereby intended to limit the invention to theform disclosed, but it is intended to cover all modifications andalternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of theinvention as expressed in the appended claims.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, a fluid =system 3 embodying`the invention isdesigned to receive ICC fluid from la relatively lowpressure source such as a city water main 4 and discharge it into areceptacle 5. As illustrated, the receptacle 5 constitutes the tub of awashing machine and the system 3 is arranged to charge Water into thetub behind a liexible squeezing diaphragm 6. However, it will beunderstood that the invention in its broader aspects is not limited touse with washing machines, but may be used to :supply fluid to anyreceptacle or similar iiuid receiving means of such a character that theinternal fluid pressure may vary from time to time.

The operating characteristics of the system 3 are such that whenever thepressure within the receptacle 5 is lower than the pressure of fluid inthe supply main 4, fluid may ow through the lsystem from the supply maininto the receptacle under force tof the supply main pressure. When thepressure wit-hin the receptacle 5 increases appreciably or approachesthe pressure in the supply main, the system 3 automatically adaptsitself to the changed conditions. A booster pump 8 incorporated into thesystem then comes into `operation to increase the pressure at the fluidoutlet '7 fof the system and positively forces the fluid into thereceptacle a-t pressures above that in the supply line.

The improved and simplified booster pump 8 used in the system 3 not only:serves as a pump but is capable 'of sensing pressure conditionsexisting in the system and 'automatically controlling its own pumpingaction in accordance with these conditions. It will become evident thatthe fluid pressure within the system 3 varies some what `in proportionto the pressure within the receptacle 5, thus allowing the pump S tocontrol itself in accordance with the pressure in the receptacle.

The improved pump 8 basically comprises an expansible chamber 9interconnected with an intermediate portion of the system 3 in a mannerwhereby the chamber may be expanded thnough entrance of fluid into thechamber from the system whenever the pressure in the adjacent portion ofthe system exceeds a predetermined value. A continually moving actuator10 is arranged to engage and compress the expanded chamber 9 fiorcingthe fluid out through conduit 14 and outlet 7 into the receptacle 5under increased pressure. A suitable relief valve 14a is provided inconduit 14.

In the present instance, the pump chamber 9 is connected into the lluidsystem 3 between an inlet check valve 11 and an exhaust check valve 12interposed in the fluid conduits 13 and 14 respectively leading from acutoif valve 16 associated with main 4 and to the receptacle 5, asindicated diagrammatically in Fig. 1. In this manner the pump chamber 9is exposed to uid pressure in the system at all times. When pressure inthe receptacle 5 is low, uid flowing into the system from the supplymain 4 through valve 16 can pass through check valves 11 and 12successively and enter the receptacle 5 under its own pressure. It willbe appreciated that fluid friction and other ordinary resistances topassage of the iluid through the lines will cause the fluid pressure inthe supply system 3 at the point where the pump is interconnected to thesystem to drop to an intermediate pressure between that in the supplymain 4 and that inthe receptacle 5. Normally this intermediate pressurewill not be sufficiently strong to cause expansion of the pump chamber 9whenever the flow of fluid into the receptacle is initiated throughopening of valve 16. Consequently, the pump will remain inoperativeduring this initial filling period.

In the preferred form of the system 3, provision is made for expeditingthe initial filling of the receptacle 5 while its internal pressure isstill low. For this purpose, an additional fluid passageway 17 4having acheck valve 19 interposed therein is provided betweenfthe conduits 13and 14 leading to and from the pump 8. A sizable portion of the incominglluid can be shunted through passage 17 around valves 11 and 12 and thepump 8 to be channeled directly into the receptacle.

After the receptacle has been filled sufficiently to cause a significantincrease in its internal pressure, the pressure within the system 3increases, producing a corresponding increase within the pump chamber 9.When this pressure reaches a certain point, the pump chamber is causedto expand thereby initiating the booster pumping action needed forforcing additional uid into the receptacle. As pressure in thereceptacle rises above that in the supply main 4, the check valve 19closes. From that point on, uid is charged into the receptacle 5 bybeing introduced through check valve 11 into the pump chamber 9 where itis forced out into the receptacle through check valve 12.

Referring more particularly to the construction of the pump forming theinstant embodiment of the invention, the expansible pump chamber 9 isformed by a cylinder 2li closed at the forward end by plate 21 andadapted to slidably receive a piston 23. The chamber 9 is interconnectedinto the uid system in any convenient manner, the connection being showndiagrammatically in Figure 1. The chamber is expanded through rearwardmotion of the piston 23 under force of iiuid within the cylinder 20 asshown in Fig. 2. Contraction of the pump chamber through forwardmovement of the piston 23 is effected by the continually moving actuator10. A most suitable actuator is an eccentric cam 24 mounted on arotating shaft 26 and arranged to engage a piston rod 27 extendingrearwardly from the piston 23 to drive the rod and piston forwardly. Toreduce wear on the parts and improve the mechanical efficiency of thedrive, a roller 28 is mounted on the rear end of the piston rod 27 forengaging the drive cam 24. The intermediate shank of the piston rod isslidably received in a guide 30 formed in a cap 31 secured to the rearend of the cylinder 20. A suitable drain 33 is provided in the rearportion of the cylinder to permit escape of small quantities of liuidwhich may seep past the piston 23.

For some applications, the frictional forces between the piston 23 andthe cylinder 20 are suiiicient to resist rearward movement of the pistonuntil it is desirable to initiate the booster pump operation. In otherapplications, where it is advantageous to delay operation of the boosterpump 8 until the pressure within the system has reached a higher value,a spring is associated with the piston 23 to bias it into forwardposition. As shown, a compression spring 35 is assembled between therear face ofthe piston 23 and the cap 31 for this purpose. The presenceof the spring, however, does not have a critical effect on the pumpingaction aside from determining the point when the pumping will begin.

From the foregoing description it is clear that until the pressurewithin the pump chamber 9 exceeds a certain critical value, the pump 8remains dormant. The revolving cam 24 does not engage the piston rod 27and the parts are not subjected to Wear. Moreover, the booster pump doesnot absorb driving energy except when actually in use.

It will also be appreciated that the pump 8 is composed of a minimumnumber of parts which are inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.Because of the simplicity of its design, the pump is durable in use andnot subject to functional failures. Additional advantages of the novelpump arrangement reside in the elimination of intricate controls madepossible by the inherent ability of the pump to sense the pressure ofthe fluid within the system and to control its own action in response tochang- -ing pressure conditions without the use of clutches or controllinks of any sort.

It will be remembered that even though the illustrated embodiment of theinvention is used for supplying huid to the tub of a'washer, thevinvention Ain its broader laspects vis not restricted to this use. Afluid `system or pump embodying the invention may be used to supplylluid to any type of receptacle or conduit but is particularlyadvantageous where the pressure in the receptacle varies between valuesbelow and above the pressure of the lluid source.

However, the lluid system 3 with the novel booster pump arrangement isparticularly well adapted for use in washing machines. As previouslyindicated, the system is used in this connection to charge Water intothe space or cavity 36 between the tub 5 of a washer (not fully shown)and a exible diaphragm 6 to cause the latter to bulge inwardly forpressing a batch of clothes against an agitator 37 to squeeze out excesswater. The instant diaphragm 6 is annular in form and is attached to thetub in a fluidtight manner along its upper and lower marginal edges. Thenormal pressure of water in most city mains is sufficient to extend thediaphragm 6 inwardly into pressure engagement with the clothes. The pump8 then comes into play for charging additional water into the tub Sbehind the diaphragm 6 to perform the final squeezing operation. Theamount of water supplied at the increased pressures is usuallyrelatively small so the pump can be made of small capacity7 furtherreducing its cost of manufacture. Where the lluid system is used with awasher as shown, the drive shaft 26 for the cam 24 may also be the driveshaft for the agitator 37, thus eliminating the necessity of additionalmotors and transmissions fo-r actuating the pump 8. A suitable clutch 33is provided between the shaft 26 and the agitator for convenient controlof the agitator.

Preferably, the system 3 for supplying squeezing fluid to the washer isintegrated with the drainage system so that the expansible cavity 36behind the iiexible diaphragm 6 can be lled and drained through thesingle valve 16. In this instance the valve is of a combined type andcomprises a casing 39 having a multiple headed piston 40 slidablymounted therein to aiord a common control over the supply and drainagesystems. The casing 39 is connected with conduits 41 and 42 respectivelyleading to the tub 5 and to a suitable drainage outlet. ln the positionshown, the piston 4t) is shifted to the right for drainage of squeezingfluid.

Since the shaft 26 will normally be rotating while the Washer is inoperation, the only necessary control movement required for chargingsqueezing water into the cavity 36 is that needed to shift the piston 40to the left closing the drain and interconnecting the supply conduit i2with the supply main 4. The fluid system 3 then operates automaticallyto charge water behind the tlexible diaphragm 6 as previously described.Whenever the desired amount of Water is pumped in behind the diaphragmthe valve piston 4t) may be shifted back to an intermediate or neutralposition to maintain the squeezing pressure on the clothes for a shorttime before the squeezing Water is drained off by shifting the pistonall the way to the drain position.

lt will be appreciated that the improved uid system as incorporated intoa washing machine gives rise t0 numerous advantages in regard tosimplicity of design and economy of manufacture as Well as to a mostetlicient and dependable mode of operation. The integrated nature of thesystem with the simple cut-off valve needed for initiating the fillingand draining cycles is well suited for use in washing machines of thistype which are controlled either manually or automatically.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a washing machine, the combination of a tub, an agitator mountedin said tub, a flexible annular diaphragm disposed in said tub andsecured thereto in a uidtight manner along the upper and lowerperipheral edges of said diaphragm to form an expansible cavity, a uidsupply and drainage system for charging water into said cavity to causebulging of said diaphragm for squeezing excess water from a batch ofclothes and for Ydraining the Water from Hsaid cavity kafter a squeezingoperation, said system including a supply conduit adapted for connectionto a source of water under pressure and extending to said tub, a cut-offvalve interposed in said conduit, a booster pump interconnected into anintermeiate portion of said conduit and comprising a cylinder, a pistonslidably mounted in said cylinder to define an expansible pump chamber,inlet and exhaust valves associated with said chamber, a piston rodsecured to said piston and extending rearwardly therefrom, a continuallyrotating drive shaft disposed rearwardly of said cylinder and having aneccentric cam mounted thereon and disposed in alinement with the freeend of said rod, said cam being so located and dimensioned that its pathof movement clears said rod whenever said piston is in its forwardposition, said drive shaft also being arranged to drive said agitator,means defining a fluid passageway interconnecting said line on oppositesides of said inlet and exhaust valves for shunting water around saidlast mentioned valves and said pump during initial filling of the spacebehind said diaphragm, a check valve in said passageway, said pistonbeing slidable rearwardly under the force of Water entering said chamberabove a predetermined pressure, said piston being movable back toinitial position by said cam for forcing water out of said chamber intosaid tub under increased pressure, a drainage line interconnectedbetween said tub and said cut-oft valve, said cut-off valve beingshiftable to initiate the flow of water into said tub and to drain waterfrom said tub.

2. In a washing machine, the combination of a tub, means for agitatingwater in said tub, a power source for moving said agitating means, meansdisposed in said tub and defining therewith an expansible cavity, afluid supply system for charging water into said cavity to causeexpansion of said cavity for squeezing excess water from a batch ofclothes, said system including a supply line adapted for connection to asource of water under pressure, a cut-off valve interposed in said line,a booster pump comprising a cylinder, a piston slidably mounted in saidcylinder to define an expansible pump chamber, inlet and exhaust valvesassociated with said chamber, said inlet valve being connected to saidcut-off valve, said exhaust valve being in communication with saidcavity, a motion transmitting element secured to said piston andextending rearwardly therefrom, a continually rotating drive shaftconnected to said power source and disposed rearwardly of said cylinderand having a movable actuator associated therewith, said actuator beingso located and `dimensioned that its path of movement clears saidelement whenever said piston is in its forward position, said pistonbeing slidable rearwardly under force of water entering said chamberabove a predetermined pressure, said piston being movable back toinitial position by said actuator, forcing water out of said chamberinto said cavity under increased pressure and a valve in communicationwith said cavity for draining water therefrom.

3. In a washing machine, the combination of a tub, an agitator mountedin said tub, means including a iiexible diaphragm disposed in said tuband defining an expansible cavity, a iiuid supply system for chargingwater into said cavity to cause bulging of said diaphragm for squeezingexcess water from a batch of clothes, said system including a supplyline adapted for connection to a source of water under pressure, abooster pump having an expansible pump chamber connected to said line,an inlet valve interposed between said source and said chamber, aconduit connecting said chamber to said cavity, an exhaust valveinterposed between said chamber and said cavity, a motion transmittingelement associated with said pump and operable to contract said chamber,a continually moving actuator associated with said element, saidactuator being so located and dimensioned that its path of movementclears said element whenever said chamber is in its contracted position,said agitator and said actuator being driven from a common power source,means defining a fluid passageway interconnecting said supply line andsaid conduit for shunting water around said inlet and exhaust valves andsaid pump during initial filling of said cavity, a check valve in saidpassageway, said pump chamber being expansible under force of waterentering said chamber above a predetermined pressure, said actuator thenengaging said element to contract said chamber and force water out ofsaid chamber into said cavity under increased pressure.

4. In a washing machine, the combination of a clothes receptacle, aflexible squeezing element disposed in said receptacle defining anexpansible chamber, means including a power source for agitating waterin said receptacle, a fluid supply system for charging water into saidcavity to cause said element to bulge and squeeze excess water from abatch of clothes, said system including a supply line extending from asource of water under pressure, a booster pump having an expansible pumpchamber connected to said line, inlet and exhaust check valvesassociated with said chamber, said inlet valve being connected to saidsupply line, a conduit connecting said exhaust valve to said expansiblecavity, a motion transmitting element associated with said pump andoperable to contract said chamber, a continually moving actuator assolciated with said element and drivingly connected to said power source,said actuator being so located and dimensioned that its path of movementclears said element i whenever said chamber is in its contractedposition, said pump chamber being expansible under force of water tentering said chamber above a predetermined pressure,

said actuator then engaging said element to contract said chamber andforce water out of said chamber into said tub under increased pressureand a pair of cut-off valves, one cut-off valve being interposed in saidsupply line, the second cut-off valve being in communication with saidcavity for draining the latter.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,461,456 Reynolds July 10, 1923 2,018,111 Babitch Oct. 22, 19352,112,573 Parish Mar. 29, 1938 2,147,334 De Boysson Feb. 14, 19392,453,707 Graham Nov. 16, 1948 2,562,533 Dunlap Iuly 31, 1951

